2006

··ram goin<> to make sure my players go to class and ~ e . . become good students. I also hope to bring a ~mnmg tradition back to a program that has seen b11s and pieces of success over the past few years," Bowie stat– ed. Bowie has been a part of winning programs as a player and coach. At Morton, he averaged 22.5 points and 10 rebounds and led the Panthers to the state play– offs. He was named District 3A Player of the Year and "'as a flfst-team Ali-State selection. He played two years at EC for Marty Cooper, whom he assisted the past four years at Itawamba. As a fresh– man. Bowie averaged 18 points and eight rebounds and \\3.:> named fi rst team Ail-State. He made All-Region 23 and All-State his sophomore season and led EC to a winning record. He was the team's most valuable pla~er both seasons. He conunued his playing career for the legendary coach Wimp Sanderson at the University of Arkansas– Lmle Rock from 1997-2000. and was a member of suc– cessful programs each year. During his senior cam– paign. he averaged 16 points and eight rebounds and \\a:; named to the Sun Belt All-Conference Team and All-Tournament Team. Bov..ie began his coaching career as a graduate assisunt at Alcorn State University for long-time head codch Da\e Whitney. and helped lead the Braves to the SWAC title and a berth in the 2002 NCAA Tournament. During his four years at ltawamba, he helped guide the men's team to a winning record each year and the women's team posted three successful campaigns. Serving as Bowie's assistant is Brandon Cornelius, who returns for his second year on the Warrior staff. Cornelius is a former basketball standout at the University of West Alabama and Forest Hill High School.

named most valuable pla~er and te:~m capuin. Pruitt averaged 1 points. se\en rebounds and four assists at i'\e~ton Count\. He also re.:ehed first team AlJ-Disuict. most valuable pla~ er and team caplain honors. Other first-year pia~ ers include J::!y Broo~. a 5-lf point guard from Pro... me. Des ~1orale<.. a 5-? P' mt guard from Lake: Jusun Brown. a ~ p- er r._~rw':lrd from South Leake: Chrh BrO\~n. a 6-:! ::...... ~; f.. rward from Hattiesburg: Joe Thomp:.on. a 6-7 center from Morton; Craig P~itt. a 6-5 small forward from ~e\\lOn County; and Eddie Patnck. a 6' shooting guard from Forest. Bowie said he adjust:) hts sty le of coaching to the type of player:> he has on the w"ler. And the plan ror this year calls for a 101 of speed and a smothenng defense. ·'We are going to be a fast-paced team th;u gets up and down the floor. On defense, \\ e v..ill pres:> a IOl and try to force turnovers. And on o ffense, if we don' t b;l\e a lay-up we are going to bring the ball back oct. set up a play and make teams defend us," BO'W1e stat~ then made the following prediction: "If we bold our oppo– nents to 65 points or less per game. make no more than 12 turnovers, and win the rebounding battle on offense and defense, we will be victorious." Bowie also expects his team to "never give up" and play a full 40 minutes until the final buzzer sounds. "Don't leave the game early," Bowie warns. "If we are down lO or less with three minutes to play, you might miss a great ending." . In addition to winning, Bowie knows the tmpor– tance of academics.